Irma C. Palacios was born on December 26, 1944, in Laredo, Texas. She was raised by her mother, Leonor Hinojosa, with the loving presence of her grandmother, Tomasa Corrales, who lived right next door. From those early years, family and faith were at the center of Irma’s life.
Irma graduated at the top of her class from Martin High School in Laredo in 1963. That same year, on August 24, she married her high school sweetheart, Henry Palacios Jr. Together, they built a life centered around faith and family and raised five children: Henry Palacios III, Benjamin Palacios, Michael Palacios, Melissa Ann Patino, and Ronnie Palacios.
As Henry pursued his education, played college baseball, and built his career, Irma was his steadfast partner. She devoted herself to raising their children and creating a loving home. A professional homemaker in every sense of the word, Irma was a devoted and present mother. She was in the stands, at school functions, driving to practices, celebrating accomplishments, and supporting her children through every season of life.
Her care extended beyond her own five children. Irma was the mom who always had room for one more. Friends were welcomed like family, there was always another seat in the car, and no one entered her home without being offered something to eat. If someone needed a ride, a meal, or a place to land, Irma made room.
Her oldest son, Henry Palacios III, had polio, which brought unique challenges to their young family. Irma met those challenges with strength, faith, and unwavering devotion. She spent her life making sure her children knew how deeply they were loved.
The Palacios family was a close one. As Henry’s career brought opportunities to travel, the children went right along with them. Even as they grew older, that closeness remained. Irma created the kind of home and family you always wanted to come back to.
Irma loved the Lord, and her strong faith was reflected in the way she lived, served, and cared for others. Later in life, her love for children extended to her work with the Mother’s Day Out program at her church.
When grandchildren came along, Irma received one of her most treasured titles: Nana. Being Nana brought her tremendous joy, and that joy only grew with the arrival of her great-grandchildren.
Nana was a heck of a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was funny, full of personality, and full of life. She loved going to the casino, traveling, being surrounded by her family, and writing poetry. Her gift for writing even led to her poetry being published in a book.
Irma’s legacy is found in the family she built and the generations who came after her. It is in the meals she made, the games she attended, the miles she drove, the prayers she prayed, the laughter she brought into a room, and the countless ways she made her family feel loved.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Henry Palacios Jr.; her son’s Benjamin Palacios and his wife, Julia, and Michael Palacios and his wife, Diana; her son-in-law Raul Patino; her daughter-in-law Perla Palacios; and her siblings, Oscar Hinojosa, Olga Hinojosa, and Gracie Silva.
She leaves behind 15 grandchildren: Brittney Terry, Joseph Palacios, Gabriella Palacios, Michael Palacios, Ashley Patino, Victoria Palacios, Amanda Patino, Fabiola Palacios, Myranda Palacios, Camila Palacios, Amber Patino, Jacob Palacios, Austin Patino, Gabriel Palacios, and Sofia Palacios.
She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Melody Palacios, Rocklan Terry, Waylon Terry, and Tyson Terry.
Irma was preceded in death by three of her beloved children, Henry Palacios III, Melissa Ann Patino, and Ronnie Palacios, as well as her daughter-in-law, Rose Palacios.
For those who knew and loved her, she will forever be Nana.
Nana was home.
Her family will miss her laugh, her food, her stories, her prayers, and the comfort of knowing Nana was always there. Her faith gives them hope that this goodbye is not forever.
To be loved by Nana was to know you belonged. That love will be carried for generations.
